Cold weather concern

[Arbor23]

This will be my second year climbing in the winter. I was wondering if different trees will react differently when being cut down during freezing temperatures. What are potiential tree dangers to keep in mind while working through figid weather?

 

[Colin]

Good question. My guess is frozen is frozen, but I'm a far cry from being an expert.

 

[tophopper]

Yes they do react differently in cold weather.
You'll notice a difference in felling and hinging with some species. A major difference? No I dont think so, but holding wood is sometimes more brittle with some species.
Do you need to change protocols due to this? Id say no, but pay close attention to the differences you notice.

 

[familytree]

trees are more brittle when its below freezing, especially after a couple of days, on trees were you would see more of a rip like a fruit tree you'll notice that it snaps instead, i always rig a bit smaller when its freezing out just to make sure i dont overload a frozen fragile branch

 

[Tom Dunlap]

I remember doing American elm and silver maple removals during the late winter in Minneapolis. The mornings were in single digits but into low 20's F in the afternoon. The hinge and snap characteristics would change drastically during the day with these two species in particular. Sometimes it was like cutting completely different trees in the morning and afternoon.

This is hard to understand because wood is quite a good insulator and the tree is a huge thermal mass. How could the tree absorb enough heat in this short a time to change so drastically?

 

[Happyclimbing]

I would say that two factors come to mind Tom. The sun, and that most important to all things biological = surface area!